1. religion and spirituality
2. buddhism

Tibet
PRESS WATCH
INSIDE:
New Website: DalaiLamaDC.org!
U.S. House Hearing on Tibet
Dalai Lama U.S. Schedule
Tibet in the News
SPRING 2007
A publication of the
International Campaign for Tibet
Congressional Gold Medal
America Celebrates the Dalai Lama
MANDALA SOCIETY
YOUR LIVING LEGACY TO TIBET
The Mandala Society is an intimate group of Tibet
supporters, committed to helping future generations of
Tibetans. By including the International Campaign for
Tibet in their will or trust, Mandala Society members
ensure that ICT will continue to have the resources to
promote a peaceful resolution of the occupation of Tibet,
and will be able to help rebuild Tibet when Tibetans
achieve genuine autonomy.
For more information about Mandala Society membership, please contact Melissa Winchester at 202-785-1515,
ext. 225, [email protected], or use the envelope
attached to this newsletter to request a call.
The Mandala Society of the International Campaign for Tibet
2
WITH YOUR SUPPORT
ICT’s advocacy staff was ready when U.S.
Congressional leadership changed to ensure that
Tibet remains on its agenda. In March, the U.S. House
Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing on Tibet
as its first priority in exploring U.S.-China policy.
TIBET PRESSWATCH
The International Campaign for Tibet
works to promote human rights
and democratic freedoms for
the people of Tibet.
Founded in 1988, ICT is a non-profit
membership organization with offices
in Washington, D.C., Amsterdam,
Berlin and Brussels.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Richard Gere, Chairman
Lodi Gyari, Executive Chair
John Ackerly, President
Marybeth Markey, V.P. Intl. Advocacy
Bhuchung Tsering,V.P. Special Programs
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Alan Fleischmann
Richard Gere
Lodi Gyari
Venerable Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen
Mark Handelman
Melissa Mathison
Joel McCleary
Keith Pitts
Mark Rovner
Steve Schroeder
Gare Smith
Grace Spring
Julia Taft
CONTACT INFORMATION
ICT Headquarters:
1825 Jefferson Pl, NW,
Washington, DC 20036
202-785-1515
www.savetibet.org
[email protected]
Cover Photo: Manuel Bauer,
www.manuelbauer.ch
Newsletter design: William Whitehead,
www.WmWhiteheadDesign.com
Editorial support: Kristine Poggioli,
www.nonprofitcopy.com
and Mal Warwick Associates,
www.malwarwick.com
From the President
Dear Friend,
Since the last issue of Tibet Press Watch, ICT celebrated
Losar, the Tibetan new year — the year of the pig — so
I send my warmest greetings to you and your family.
I hope you will join us in wishing His Holiness a long life
and great success in his work for a peaceful and just Tibet
in this significant year — as His Holiness was born in a
year of the pig.
John Ackerly, President
This year, the Dalai Lama’s steadfast commitment to peace and reconciliation will be
more visible and celebrated in the United States than at any time since he received
the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. In October, the U.S. Congress will present him with
the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to
non-violence, human rights, and religious understanding.
Please remember as you read in the following
pages about the current challenges and recent
achievements for Tibet — none of it would
be possible without your support.
ICT will be hosting the Dalai Lama’s Washington, D.C. visit in October, and I truly
hope you will join us for our celebration gala on October 18th and for other events
still being scheduled.
You’ll find more details about these events — and get a sneak preview of the Gold
Medal events website, www.DalaiLamaDC.org, in the pages of this Tibet PressWatch.
I hope you enjoy this newly reformatted Tibet Press Watch and feel free to send us
your feedback. Please remember as you read in the following pages about the current challenges and recent achievements for Tibet — none of it would be possible
without your support.
In solidarity,
John Ackerly
3
TIBET
PRESS WATCH
Tibet Press Coverage:
Impact of New Media
If you are a long-time ICT supporter, you have probably noticed the new format
of the Tibet Press Watch. When ICT started publishing the Tibet Press Watch,
it became the central news monitor and press clipping consolidator for the Tibet
movement.
Now, the Internet and other media technologies have made real-time news
coverage widely available — and the Chinese government has harnessed these
media to distribute their propaganda about Tibet.
The information needs of our movement have changed. Thus, ICT is pleased to
introduce a new editorial perspective for ICT’s Tibet Press Watch. In every issue,
we will recap the most important press coverage of the Tibet issue and provide
analysis of its impact. Our goal is to contextualize the changing face of our issues
in the media — and demonstrate how new developments out of China, Tibetan
exile communities and Western governments inform and reflect ICT’s work.
In this issue, we highlight an excerpt from the October issue of the Christian
Science Monitor, which shares personal accounts from Tibetan refugees who
survived the shooting of Kelsang Namtso by Chinese police at the Nangpa Pass.
Because this incident — which resulted in the death of a nun and at least one
other refugee — was actually witnessed and filmed by Western mountain
climbers, it received unprecedented attention to the danger Tibetan refugees
face when they pursue freedom.
We grieve at the cruelty of this incident, which is sadly representative of human
rights abuses in Tibet. Media outlets all over the world, from the Associated
Press and Reuters to the New York Times and London Times, have covered the
Nangpa Pass shooting, providing an important opportunity for awareness.
I hope you will join us in educating others about Tibet, and find the newly
designed Tibet Press Watch a publication that you can share with your friends
and family.
This incident — which resulted in the death
of a nun and at least one other refugee …
received unprecedented attention to the danger
Tibetan refugees face when they pursue
freedom.
4
A Capitol Hill reporter interviews Lodi
Gyari, Special Envoy of His Holiness the
Dalai Lama and ICT Executive Chair
following his testimony before the House
Foreign Affairs Committee.
Above: A visit from the Dalai Lama is
a cause célèbre for the Tibet movement in
the media.
News Round-up
WITH YOUR SUPPORT
ICT’s advocacy staff was able to act
immediately to raise concern for the welfare
and whereabouts of the refugee children taken
into custody by Chinese border guards during
the Nangpa Pass shooting incident.
Chinese guards often detain some of the 3,000 Tibetans who
try to cross into Nepal every year, but this was the first time
guards had shot dead anyone in front of such a large number
of foreigners. “We were shocked,” said the police officer,
who wants to return to Tibet. “You expect to encounter
death on the mountains. But you don’t expect to see someone
shot in the back when they're posing no threat to anybody.”
— The Times, Oct. 2006
“If the leadership in Beijing has the political will, I believe
the differences can be resolved. From one angle, the gap
we’re trying to bridge may seem too vast. But from another
angle, it may not only be bridgeable, but not that far to
bridge. The Dalai Lama is a very practical, farsighted man.”
— Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari, special envoy of the Dalai Lama
— The Washington Diplomat, Nov. 2006
"The Chinese government banned government workers,
Communist Party cadres and students in Tibet from observing
an important Buddhist festival, citing the need to keep a
tighter grip on education and guidance. The ban applied to the
Gaden Ngachoe religious festival, a key event in the Tibetan
religious calendar that marks the death of the 14th century
Buddhist teacher Tsongkhapa, who was a founder of the
Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. …
“The Chinese government claims to allow religious freedom
in Tibet but this latest instruction on the festival of
Gaden Ngachoe prevents a devotional activity that has been
practiced by Tibetans for hundreds of years and is at the heart
of their cultural identity,” says Marybeth Markey, vice
president of the ICT.
— The Independent, Oct. 2006
Restrictions on religious freedom
in the [Tibet Autonomous Region]
have been tightened in what
[Communist Party Secretary of
Tibet] Zhang called a “fight to the
death struggle” against the Dalai
Lama in a speech in May. Patriotic
re-education in nunneries and
monasteries has driven more nuns
and monks to face the dangers of the
Nangpa La to escape Tibet. Most
refugees travel in autumn and
winter when deep snow reduces the
chance of meeting border patrols,
but conditions are severe.
— The Guardian, Oct. 2006
5
TIBET
WITH YOUR SUPPORT
ICT was able to secure video footage
by onlooking mountaineers exposing
the September 30 shooting of a 17-year
old Tibetan nun — and distribute
it to the media.
PRESS WATCH
EXCERPT FROM:
China takes heat after tragic
flight of Tibetan teenager
The shooting death of a would-be refugee by a
Chinese patrolman places the Middle Kingdom’s
human rights record under scrutiny.
By Daniel Pepper, Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
NEW DELHI – Kelsang Namtso had become a Buddhist nun just last year, at the
tender age of 16. Her friend, Dolma
Palkyi, 16, wanted to go to India, and
meet the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual
leader of Tibetan Buddhism, before taking her vows.
Dolma says she managed to save
nearly $1,400 for the arduous journey
through the Himalayas. Half would go to
the smugglers. In early September, the
girls loaded their backpacks with yak butter, cheese, and barley, and finally set off.
Seventeen days later, Kelsang lay dying
in the snow after an attack, captured by
Western tourists’ cameras, that is becoming an international incident and a
SAFELY IN INDIA: Three Buddhist
nuns (right to left) Dechen Palmo, Tenzin
Dolma, and Tenzin Wangmo were among
41 Tibetan refugees who arrived in
New Delhi Sunday.
walking directly behind Kelsang. They
never saw the Chinese policemen.“When
the shooting was going on I just prayed
The Chinese Foreign Ministry
announced … he died from
“oxygen shortage”
stain on China’s human rights record.
… The group was walking single file
and had just reached the 18,753-foot
Nangpa La Pass when they heard the distinct “zing” of bullets passing on either
side. “They were shooting all around,”
says Tenzin Wangmo, one of three nuns
6
to His Holiness the Dali Lama to kindly
save us,” she recounted softly.
When a bullet hit young Kelsang, she
collapsed into the snow, crying that she
had been hit and asked for help. … Ms.
Wangmo says she made an attempt to
grab the fallen woman’s arm and pull her
along. She was unsuccessful, she says:
“There was a monk from the group who
said,‘She is dead — if we don’t run away
we will all be finished.’“
[T]hey dropped everything … and
ran until evening. That night, lacking
food and blankets, they huddled together
for warmth.
About half the group was captured
by Chinese police. The Chinese Foreign
Ministry announced the death of a second victim, a 23-year-old male, days later
in a hospital, stating he died from “oxygen shortage.” China’s official news agency,
Xinhua, reported on Oct. 12 that Chinese
police opened fire in self-defense after
the Tibetans attacked them.
Human rights groups say the Tibetans were unarmed, and that the male
victim died from gunshot wounds.
Rights groups don’t know how many
refugees die along the way each year, but
they say a significant number fall into
crevasses, die of hunger, or are shot by
Chinese police.
But never before has such an event
been documented so well. A Romanian
cameraman and other Western tourists
who were in the region to climb Cho
Oyu, about 12 miles west of Mount Everest, say they saw the Chinese patrolmen
shoot the Tibetan refugees.
News and Occasions —
In Summary
Dalai Lama issues annual
March 10th statement. To mark
the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan
National Uprising, the Dalai Lama said
that his call for a single administration
of all Tibetans within the People’s
Republic of China is “sincere, just and
transparent.” For the full statement,
visit www.savetibet.org/news.
Bhuchung K. Tsering, ICT Vice President of Special Programs, testified
before the United States Commission on International Religious
Freedom in a hearing on “The Many
Faces of China’s Repression: Human
Rights and U.S. Diplomacy in China.”
For a transcript of his testimony,
visit www.savetibet.org/news.
“Dangerous
Crossings” report
documents plight
of Tibetan
refugees.
In March, ICT released the annual
report on the state of Tibetan refugees.
To order a copy of the report, please
email [email protected]. It is also
available for download from
www.savetibet.org/refugees.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is
a dear friend of His Holiness the
Dalai Lama and a supporter of Tibet
issues in Congress. Here, she greets
Professor Samdhong Rinpoche,
the elected Chairman of the Tibetan
Cabinet, during his February visit
to Capitol Hill.
Chairman of the Tibetan
Cabinet visits Washington, D.C.
Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, the elected
Kalon Tripa of the Tibet Government
in Exile, met in March with policy
makers in Washington, D.C. and gave
a public talk at ICT.
Tibetan activists win protection of sacred lake. After protests by local Tibetans
and Chinese environmental activists, the Ganzi Prefecture’s Party Committee and
government in Sichuan Province of China cancelled a planned hydropower dam
on the Megoe Tso Lake in Tibet. The lake is a major destination for Buddhist pilgrims
and tourists and sustains one of the most bio-diverse ecosystems on Earth.
The Cabinet Chariman poses for
a photo with Tom Lantos, Chairman
of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee.
Tibetan and Chinese environmental activists saved this beautiful lake from a proposed hydropower dam.
The Megoe Tso Lake is the largest in the region and sacred to Tibetans.
7
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America Celebrates the Dalai Lam
Washington, D.C., October 2007
DALAI LAMA IN THE U.S.
ABOUT THE GOLD MEDAL
SUPPORT HIS D.C. VISIT
Golden Opportunity Gala
American Celebrates the Dalai Lama
ABOUT THE DALAI LAMA
“...In recognition o
and outstanding con
peace, non-violence
rights, and religious
understanding.”
United States Congression
to be awarded October 20
His Holiness the 14th Dala
ABOUT TIBET
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VOLUNTEER
Learn about volunteer opportunities and
sign up to help with an event in your area.
Volunteering is a great way to donate your
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also getting a behind-the-scenes view
of the activities.
8
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ma
old Gala
GMedal
of his enduring
ntribution to
, human
s
Join His Holiness the Dalai
Lama, Richard Gere and special
guests for ICT’s Gold Medal
Award celebrations! Purchase
tickets for the October 18th
Gold Medal Gala, special receptions, festivities for the Tibetan
community and more. Tickets
are only available through the
DalaiLamaDC.org website on a
first-come, first-serve basis!
al Gold Medal,
007 to
i Lama of Tibet.
Spread the Word
s about the
U.S. You will be
vents, ticket sale
n to ensure that
now newly
Info for Press
EVENTS IN DC AND YOUR AREA
Get the details of Dalai Lama teachings, public talks,
private audiences and other events happening throughout
the United States with the most up-to-date details.
Find out how to purchase tickets, volunteer, or connect
with your local Buddhist and Tibetan organizations
for these special occasions.
9
America Awards the Dalai Lama the
The U.S. Congressional Gold Medal
His Holiness Dalai Lama in the U.S.
Preliminary Schedule of Events
SPRING EVENTS
April 24–25, Maui, Hawaii
In his first trip to Maui, His Holiness will give a free public talk on
A Human Approach to World Peace at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center and
a teaching on Geshe Langri Thangpa’s Eight Verses for Training the Mind
(Lojong Tsikgyema).
For details about this event, contact the Maui Tibetan Buddhist Dharma
Center at www.mauidharmacenter.org or [email protected].
April 27–29, San Francisco, California
His Holiness will give a two-day teaching on Je Tsongkhapa's In Praise of
Dependent Origination (Tendrel Toepa) at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
organized by the Gyuto Vajrayana Center in San Jose, California.
For details about these events, please visit www.dalailamabay2007.com.
Tickets for the teaching are available through Ticketmaster at
www.ticketmaster.com.
May 1, Houston, Texas
His Holiness will give a talk at Rice University sponsored by Rice University
and The Boniuk Center for Religious Tolerance.
Talks open to the public will include Meaning of Compassion in
Every-day Life and Tolerance and Universal Responsibility in a Global Village.
Details available online at www.rice.edu/dalailama.
May 3–5, Madison, Wisconsin
His Holiness will give teachings on Tokchod Donlekma and Lamrim Dudon
and also confer the Green Tara Empowerment (Doljang Jenang) at the
request of Geshe Lhundup Sopa of Deer Park Center. Teachings will be
followed by a public talk.
For information about the Madison, Wisconsin events, please contact the
Deer Park Buddhist Center at www.deerparkcenter.org or [email protected].
May 6, Chicago, Illinois
His Holiness will give a public talk on Finding Inner Peace in a World of Turmoil
and also give a teaching on Eight Versus for Training the Mind.
Details of the teachings forthcoming at www.dalailamachicago.com.
May 9, Amherst, Massachusetts
His Holiness will give a public talk to members of Smith College and Hampshire College communities with a live broadcast on Pioneer Valley-area
local television.
For details, visit www.smith.edu/dalailama.
10
In both the political and public realms, the Dalai
Lama is admired for promotion of non-violence
and compassion. Here he addresses the American
public and above, the U.S. Congress.
Highest Honor —
OCTOBER ITINERARY
October 11–14, New York City, New York
October 15–19, Washington, D.C.
His Holiness will receive the Congressional Gold Medal and
participate in events celebrating the award.
Please join ICT during this visit for the October 18th
Gold Medal Gala celebration. Details on this and
other October events are available at
www.DalaiLamaDC.org.
old Gala
GMedal
October 20–22, Atlanta, Georgia
www.dailalama.emory.edu
October 24–26, Bloomington, Indiana
www.tibetancc.com
WITH YOUR SUPPORT
Tibetan refugees who successfully
escape can find medical treatment,
food, shelter and a new beginning
at refugee reception centers in
Nepal and India.
The History of
the Congressional
Gold Medal
The nation’s highest civilian honor
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest expression of national appreciation for exceptional
service and lifetime contributions.
The medal has been awarded to individuals and
groups from all walks of life. Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Pope John Paul II,
the Navajo Code Talkers, Rosa Parks and Elie Wiesel
are among those who have been honored.
This September, more than two-thirds of
Congress, from both sides of the aisle, voted to
award Tibet’s exiled leader, the Dalai Lama, the
Congressional Gold Medal. The award is in recognition of the Dalai Lama’s advocacy of religious
harmony, non-violence, and human rights throughout the world and for his efforts to find a peaceful
solution to the Tibet issue through dialogue with
the Chinese leadership.
Thank you to
Congressional Gold Medal Bill
co-sponsors:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TOM LANTOS (D)
ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN (R)
SENATE
DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D)
CRAIG THOMAS (R)
11
Your ICT Contributions at Work—
Dear Friend,
Denise Clegg
Director of Development
In March, Chairman Tom Lantos
opened House Foreign Affairs
Committee hearings on Tibet
by saying, “In a world marred
daily by deadly violence, the patient and peaceful struggle of Tibetans for their religious and
cultural freedom is a powerful
source of inspiration.”
ICT Chair Richard Gere, Special Envoy Lodi Gyari and U.S.
Under Secretary of State Paula Dobriansky testified about the
status of negotiations between the Dalai Lama’s representatives
and the Chinese Government.
Your support made these hearings possible. Chairman Lantos
noted, “Two decades ago, when His Holiness presented his
Five Point Peace Plan for Tibet to the Human Rights Caucus,
no other U.S. government body would give him an audience.
Twenty years later, his characteristically quiet plea on behalf of
his people is heard loud and clear by the President of the
United States and government leaders around the globe.”
ICT was founded in 1988. Over the last nineteen years, ICT
supporters have ensured that the Dalai Lama and Tibetan
people are heard in Congress and that U.S. leaders steadfastly
promote a negotiated solution to the situation in Tibet.
As ICT supporters, we stand in solidarity with Tibetans. We
also benefit from the Tibetan people, who not only inspire us,
but who are willing to share their unique culture and take
courageous actions which foster peace for all of us. Working
with you and ICT, I am frequently reminded of Mahatma
Gandhi’s teaching, “You must be the change you want to see
in the world.”
Ranking Republican Committee member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
pictured here with other members of the House Foreign
Affairs Committee, remarked in her opening testimony that:
“With such international acclaim, one must ask the question:
why does Beijing continue to refuse to sit down and talk to
this distinguished Nobel Peace Prize laureate about his ‘middle way approach’? The reason is clear — cultural domination by China requires religious suppression in Tibet.”
12
When considering Tibet, some skeptics say,“change will never
happen.” But we say it is happening. Profound change does
not happen in a single symbolic moment — such as the fall of
the Berlin Wall — but in the countless actions and conditions
which create a tipping point.
Last year, thousands of you called and wrote your representatives, sent financial support to ICT and raised awareness for
An Impact for Tibet
Profound change does not happen
in a single symbolic moment … but in
the countless actions and conditions
which create a tipping point.
Witnesses testify before the the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the status of Sino-Tibetan dialogue. Pictured here (left to
right): Paula Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs; Lodi Gyari, Special Envoy of His Holiness
the Dalai Lama; and Richard Gere, ICT Chairman.
Tibet around the Congressional Gold Medal bills. This October the Dalai Lama will be presented with the prestigious
award by the U.S. Congress — a sea change of recognition for
the Tibet struggle.
This momentum is reflected around the world. In the last two
months alone, a comprehensive resolution on Tibet passed in
the European Parliament, and motions on Tibet in Canada,
Austria, Scotland, and initiatives in several other countries
were launched.
Who knows what great symbolic moment will embody justice
in Tibet? We can be confident it will reflect a world profoundly
transformed by the Tibetan struggle — as each of us has been
changed already by choosing compassion and standing in
solidarity with Tibet.
With gratitude,
Funding for Tibet
and Tibetans
Last year, with your contributions,
ICT was able to secure direct U.S. aid
for Tibetans, including:
• $2 million for Tibetan refugees;
• $4 million in Economic Support Funds for NGOs
promoting sustainable economic development,
cultural heritage preservation, and environmental
conservation in Tibet, as well as NGOs providing
direct support to Tibetan communities;
• $600,000 in scholarships for Tibetans to study
in U.S. institutions;
• $500,000 in grants for Tibetan student exchange
programs; and
• $250,000 for human rights and democracybuilding projects in the Tibetan exile community.
Denise Clegg
13
Catching Up with ICT Members
Jennifer and Bucky Lasek
In April 2006, professional skateboarder Bucky Lasek won the 30th Anniversary Toyota
Pro Celebrity race and donated all of his cash winnings as well as a full-page ad in People
Magazine to ICT. Bucky is a five-time X Games gold medalist and two-time Dew Tour
Champion and is a hero to young athletes and Tibet activists around the world.
Bucky and his wife Jennifer are long-time ICT supporters, generous to Tibet in every
way — even putting Tibet in their spotlight.They hand out t-shirts and stickers at events,
highlight Tibet on merchandise, and keep the issue of Tibet in the news. We caught up
with them recently to ask about their views on the Tibet movement.
Bucky Lasek flashes a Tibet
flag sticker during a skateboard
competition.
TPW: What inspires you about Tibet?
J&B: Everything. The people, their resolve, their culture, their art. The beauty of
the land … and of course His Holiness.
TPW: How did you learn about Tibet?
Jennifer and Bucky Lasek, shown here
arriving at the 13th annual ESPY awards,
generously donated the full-page People
Magazine ad which ran in March.
J&B: The Tibetan Freedom Concert … (we could not attend) being Beastie Boys
fans we wanted to go to see them … and wondered “what does Tibetan freedom
mean? What’s going on there?” After seeing a few movies about Tibet, we had
an idea of what had happened. In 1999 a mailer from ICT came to our home …
we became aware of what was happening to the people, the land and their very
beautiful culture. We started making contributions and educating ourselves and
our children. Putting the Tibetan Flag sticker on the skateboard at competitions
was what we saw as a way to spark conversation. People ask “what flag is that?”
TPW: You’ve done such amazing promotion of ICT and Tibet. When people
ask you about Tibet, what is the first thing you tell them?
J&B: Well I should tell them that ignorance isn’t so blissful and they should pay
more attention to human rights. I do tell them that the people of Tibet are being
forced away from their own peaceful ways and beliefs. This type of wrong-doing
is being carried out by the type of beings that hold materialistic things higher
than humanity. We could learn a lot from their situation.
TPW: You reach an audience of hundreds of thousands of young people and
have children of your own. What can we do to make young people more
aware of Tibet, and how can we inspire future generations to work for peace
and justice?
J&B: By educating ourselves and our children about different cultures and showing
them by example. I believe it was Ghandi who said “be the change you want to see
in the world.” Don’t wait for change to be proactive even if it’s just making yourself better educated on national and international issues. Raising compassionate
children is most important to us … it’s a chain reaction then … it spreads.
14
BECOME A GOLD MEDAL GALA UNDERWRITER
old Gala
GMedal
OCTOBER 18, 2007 • WASHINGTON, D.C.
This October, the U.S. Congress will award the Dalai Lama with the Congressional Gold Medal,
our nation’s highest civilian honor. The International Campaign for Tibet will host the Dalai Lama’s visit to
Washington, D.C. as well as a very special Gold Medal Gala celebration on October 18, 2007.
We will join leaders in government, business, philanthropy and social justice for a high-profile,
special event to honor the Dalai Lama’s lifelong work for religious harmony, non-violence, and
peaceful diplomacy throughout the world.
ICT is seeking corporate, individual and
community underwriters for this special event.
Your sponsorship now will allow 100% of ticket
donations to directly support ICT programs
benefiting Tibet.
In gratitude and recognition, underwriters
will receive:
• Tickets to the Gold Medal Gala
• Special recognition at the event, online
and in print materials
• Commemorative Congressional Gold Medals
Opportunities are available starting at $5,000.
For more information about becoming a Gold Medal Gala Underwriter,
please visit www.DalaiLamaDC.org/events. Individual tickets will be available in July.
15
Actions You Can Take
Stay informed by joining the ICT Action Network.
Receive monthly email updates and action alerts.
Sign up at www.savetibet.org.
Join the “Beijing 2008: Race for Tibet” team.
Tell China to prioritize human rights and negotiate with
the Dalai Lama before the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
www.RaceforTibet.org.
Volunteer with a Tibet Support Group.
For a list of these organizations in your area, visit the
TSG Global Directory at www.tibet.org.
There are so many ways you can take action to
support the International Campaign for Tibet and
the Tibetan people.
Visit www.savetibet.org or contact ICT at
[email protected] or 202-785-1515.
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U.S. Congress Passes Bill
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Congressional Gold Medal
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